Analysis of patients undergoing amniotic membrane transplantation at a tertiary referral hospital

PURPOSE: In this study, we aimed to determine amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) indications, early results and demographic analysis of patients who underwent AMT in our clinic according to age and gender.
METHODS: The records of 154 patients who underwent AMT at the Ophthalmology Clinic between April 2017 and September 2019 were reviewed retrospectively. Examination findings and demographic data of the patients were examined and recorded. Patients were divided into five groups: 0–10 years (Group 1, n=7), 11–20 years (Group 2, n=9), 21–40 years (Group 3, n=23), 41–60 years (Group 4, n=32), and over 60 years (60–89 years) (Group 5, n=83).
RESULTS: Ninety-five (61.7%) of the patients included in the study were male and 59 (38.3%) were female. The mean age of the patients was 55.72±22.53 (Range: 0–89) years. The most common indications for AMT in all age groups were corneal ulcer (n=47, 30.5%), corneal melting (n=32, 20.8%), and persistent epithelial defect (PED) (n=21, 13.6%). The most common age groups for AMT were Group 5 (n=83, 53.9%), Group 4 (n=32, 20.8%), and Group 3 (n=23, 14.9%). The most common indications for AMT in children and adolescents (0–20 years) were corneal ulcer (n=6, 37.5%) and corneal chemical burns (n=5, 31.2%), while in adults over 21 years of age, AMT indications were corneal ulcer (n=41, 29.7%) and corneal melting (n=29, 21.0%).

CONCLUSION: The most common indications for AMT in our study were corneal ulcer, corneal melting, and PED. According to the indications, AMT may be a simple and easily applicable surgical method that can be used in the reconstruction of the ocular surface in many corneal and conjunctival pathologies.